Week 15 - Knowing Maria »

It's a wrap. Thanks for trying this new format, for reading, and for all your encouragement and feedback! Click on the fish gills to see earlier scenes.

               INT JANE'S KITCHEN - SAME DAY

               Jane walks into her kitchen with the kids in tow carrying
               grocery bags.

               There is a huge bouquet of flowers with a card on the table.

               Jane opens it in haste. She reads the note.

                                   SHEP  (V.O.)
                         Jane, Life is short. Love Shep

               Jane gives herself a moment and until her youngest one
               unpacks the eggs.

               The phone rings. Poppy answers as Jane juggles groceries.

                                   POPPY
                         Hello. She's busy...

               Jane takes the phone gingerly from Poppy.

                                   JANE
                         Hello? 



               INT DAN'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS

               Dan's COLLEAGUE leans back in his chair at his desk.

                                   COLLEAGUE
                         Jane Dansbury? 

                                   JANE
                         Yes. This is me, she.

               She grabs another tumbling container from her toddler.

                                   COLLEAGUE
                         I work with Dan and he mentioned as
                         he was leaving for Chicago that you
                         might be up for some freelance
                         work.

                                   JANE (O.C.)
                         Chicago? 

                                   COLLEAGUE
                             (confused)
                         Yes, Chicago - the Geary project?
                         He didn't tell you?

                                   JANE
                         No. Wow that's great for him. When
                         did he leave?

                                   COLLEAGUE
                         An hour ago. 

               Jane's face falls. 

                                   JANE
                         An hour ago.

                                   COLLEAGUE
                         He thought you might want to do
                         some work with us on a small local
                         library renovation. Could you come
                         in tomorrow?

                                   JANE
                         Tomorrow. Yes sure. What time? 

               She searches unsuccessfully for paper and a pen.



               INT HOME OFFICE - CONTINUOUS

               Jane rushes with the phone into the adjacent study and grabs
               a pen and writes across some elevations open on her desk.

                                   JANE
                         Eleven. Thanks so much.

               Jane hangs up the phone. Her dog lays at her feet.

                                   JANE (CONT'D)
                         Watch them would you?

               Jane, phone in hand, walks outside.



               EXT JANE'S HOME - CONTINUOUS

               Jane stands on the same back steps where she once found Shep
               and where she sat with Lars late the night before.

               She sits down and takes a deep breath.

               She dials a number.

               The phone goes direct to voice mail.

                                   JANE
                         Dan. It's me. I hear you left for
                         Chicago... Wow Geary. Amazing...
                         Thanks for the job. (Long pause)
                         Dan, I...

               Jane noodles a hole into the knee of her jeans.

                                   JANE (CONT'D)
                         I signed the divorce papers last
                         night. My life is pretty messed up
                         right now and I need time but maybe
                         we could have dinner when you're
                         back in town. 

               Jane hangs up and sits pressing the phone against her mouth
               holding her breath. She finally breathes.



               INT LARS OFFICE - DAY

               Lars at his desk snaps his pen repetitively, anxiously.

                                   LARS
                         They won't follow through. They'll
                         chop you up in pieces. Don't buy 
                         into it. It's a decoy.

               Claire walks in as he hangs up. The tightly wound pen breaks
               and sprays his shirt.

                                   LARS (CONT'D)
                         Fuck.

                                   CLAIRE
                             (knowingly)
                         You have news.

                                   LARS
                         Walter. Fucker. He matched all our
                         numbers and promised to build a new
                         media facility. He'll just spin it
                         out after he gets the deal.

               Scott cracks open a beer from his top drawer.

               Lars turns to Claire.

                                   LARS (CONT'D)
                         I really thought I had it.

                                   CLAIRE
                         There's that ego again. WE ALL
                         tried Lars. That's life. Next time
                         we'll eliminate the Liz demon
                         first.

               Lars stews arms crossed. Claire stares at him, quietly. Their
               eyes meet and the quiet is awkward. 

               Lars gets up and grabs his bag.

                                   CLAIRE (CONT'D)
                         Where are you going?

                                   LARS
                         I need to go see someone. You tell
                         the team. They like you more
                         anyway. And here, take them out.

               He hands her his card.

                                   CLAIRE
                         That's it. Disband the team over
                         drinks. You can't deal with any
                         emotion can you?

                                   LARS
                         What?

                                   CLAIRE
                         You're one big transaction.

               Lars heads out of the office.



               EXT STATE PARK PARKING LOT - LATE AFTERNOON

               Lars parks his BMW in the lot next to the SUBARUS and 4-wheel
               drives. He spots Shep's MOTORBIKE. 



               EXT NATIONAL PARK - CONTINUOUS

               Scenes of the Appalachian mountain range, birds, eagles and
               foliage - a spring run off. Lars hikes up, with backpack on,
               to the mid-mountain point.

               Shep, on a log, rolls a joint - his camp set up behind him.

                                   LARS
                         Easy for you isn't it?

                                   SHEP
                         I thought I left you guys in a
                         karma circle? Here for another hug?

                                   LARS
                         I'm not the only Tanin with an ego.

                                   SHEP
                         Yeah, Jane is such a bitch.

                                   LARS
                         Why are you always on the run?

                                   SHEP
                         Why do you always think I'm in
                         trouble? I just live differently.
                         Into the Wild man!



               INT SHEP'S TENT - CONTINUOUS

               Lars lays down on the ground, with a sore back.  He turns
               over to see the inside of the tent. He sees a stash of
               homeopathic bottles and dried leaves. Lars grabs two bottles.



               EXT NATIONAL PARK SHEP'S CAMP SPOT - CONTINUOUS

               Lars sits back up pulling his head out of the tent holding
               the bottles in his hand.

                                   LARS
                         What do you do with all of this?

               Shep winces from a pain in his side and lights a joint.

                                   LARS (CONT'D)
                         Are you sick? I thought you looked
                         pale.

               Shep quiet. He inhales.

                                   LARS (CONT'D)
                         You're sick. Of course! That's why
                         you showed up. 

                                   SHEP
                         Nope. I'm living just as I want.
                         What could be more beautiful than
                         this?

                                   LARS
                         You know the real world has this
                         progress called doctors and drugs.
                         Let me help. 

                                   SHEP
                         You know. It meant a lot to me to
                         be with you and Janie. It solved a
                         lot of things.

                                   LARS
                         Shep. Let me help.

                                   SHEP
                         You want to help? Accept my way for
                         once... Without all the bullshit
                         about obligation and rules.

               The sun starts to set and Shep shivers. He grabs a blanket
               and wraps himself up.

                                   LARS
                         Look, let me drive you to the
                         hospitals in Boston. They have
                         world class doctors. Then if you
                         decide to go solo, it's your
                         choice.

                                   SHEP
                         Lars. It's all through my body. I
                         tried Chemo in Ohio and hated it. I
                         made this decision months ago. Last
                         week they found even more. It's
                         over.

                                   LARS
                         Is that's why you showed up?

                                   SHEP
                         I promised Dad I would be there
                         when it all blew up. I had to
                         deliver on something for him, at
                         least once. 

               He takes another drag. Lars grabs for his cell.

                                   LARS
                         I can't just let you die. I'll
                         carry you out of here. I'm calling
                         Jane. This hero bull shit is
                         getting old.

               Shep grabs Lars' PHONE and throws it into the woods.

                                   SHEP
                         It's not always about you. That's
                         what you don't fuckin get. It's not
                         your life this time Lars. 

                                   LARS
                         OK, then I'm staying. I'm just
                         going to stay with you. Stay and
                         watch you die.

                                   SHEP
                         Hey Lars, I love you. A lot man.
                         But this time, it's my show. You
                         can stay tonight. But then you
                         gotta go.

               Shep hands him a joint. Night progresses with shots of the
               BROTHERS talking and laughing by the fire. 



               EXT CAMPSITE - NEXT MORNING

               Lars wakes up wrapped in his jacket and a blanket by the
               embers. He sits up and sees Shep has cleared out.

               There is a large note in capital letters pegged to the ground
               with a rock and stick. It reads:

               Brother. When you're real, you inspire. See you on the other
               side. Shep

               Lars gets up from the ground and starts yelling.

                                   LARS
                         SHEPPPP! You FUCKER. SHEPPP!

               The only sound to be heard is water run off.

               He crouches down and starts to sob. After a few moments, he
               lowers his cap over his brow, grabs his backpack and walks
               down the mountain.



               EXT FRONT OF BROWNSTONE - LATER THAT EVENING

               Lars stands in the same ink stained shirt and baseball cap
               outside of a brownstone ringing the doorbell.

               Claire opens the door in her jeans and a glamorous top.
               People's voices sound from the background of her house,
               dishes clink. 

                                   LARS
                         How about dinner?

                                   CLAIRE
                         Right now? (Laughs) Are you OK?
                         I've been trying to reach you.

                                   LARS
                         I lost my phone. 

               Claire looks at his hiking boots and unshaven face.

                                   CLAIRE
                         You lost your phone? (Pause) Too
                         bad because I had to make some
                         major calls without you.

                                   LARS
                             (Chuckles admiringly)
                         We both know you can handle it.

                                   CLAIRE
                         We got the bid.

                                   LARS
                         What?

                                   CLAIRE
                         The LA Times offered to joint
                         venture with us and I accepted.
                         Together we blew Walter out of the
                         game. We start Monday. Scott and I
                         drafted the term sheet all night.

                                   LARS
                         You and Scott? 

                                   Claire
                         Yeah. We survived. I admit it
                         wasn't as fun without your ego to
                         kick around.

               Lars focusses in on her.

                                   LARS
                         Look, I came see you if wanted to
                         go somewhere with me?

                                   CLAIRE
                             (Mocking)
                         Like... Camping?

                                   LARS
                         No. Dinner. (Beat) I want to have
                         dinner with you RIGHT now. Say yes.

               Claire looks intrigued.

                                   CLAIRE
                         I've got a party full of guests.
                         (She hesitates as she sees a
                         vulnerable Lars) Just a minute.

               Claire leaves him on the stoop. 

               She returns with her scarf and comes onto the steps with him.

                                   CLAIRE (CONT'D)
                         Let's go mountain boy. 

               Lars lifts her down to his step and pulls her close. They
               kiss tenderly for a long time.



               INT HOSPITAL - DAY

               Jane helps Maria get up as she holds a walker.

                                   JANE
                         You got it?

                                   MARIA
                             (Grunts)
                         Yeah. Remind me how hot I'll look
                         sleeveless. 

                                   JANE
                             (tenderly)
                         Steady. OK. There. You've got it?
                         You'll look so hot you'll wear
                         sleeveless all winter. 

                                   MARIA
                         Think I can take Tango lessons with
                         Bud next month?

                                   JANE
                         Yes. You'll be ready to Tango
                         tomorrow. You're my idol.

                                   MARIA
                         You've got a few qualities I'd
                         steal too my friend. 

               Maria stumbles and sits down on the chair.

                                   MARIA (CONT'D)
                         When are you going to tell me what
                         happened? Did you do it?

                                   JANE
                         Do it? Or DO it? 

                                   MARIA
                         It's all the same direction! OK
                         secret keeper. (Pause) Give me
                         this, is he a good kisser?

               Jane blushes.

                                   JANE
                         Very.



               INT DAN'S OFFICE - DAY

               Jane looks over renderings with Dan's colleague at a long
               white desk in a glass office. She radiates.

                                   JANE
                         I think I can take it to a new
                         level. How many days do I have?

                                   COLLEAGUE
                         We submit final drawings Friday.
                         Want to work from here?

                                   JANE
                         If you'd prefer. But I have a home
                         office...

                                   COLLEAGUE
                         You're on your own. Just come in if
                         you want help.

                                   JANE
                         Great. I'm really excited about
                         this. Thank you. Thank you so much.

               Jane collects her things and as usual trips over the chair as
               she exits the office. 

                                   COLLEAGUE
                         Are you OK? 

               She collects herself only to look up and see Dan who's been
               watching the whole time from the doorway with a chuckle.

                                   JANE
                         Dan? But you're in Chicago?

                                   DAN
                         I forgot something. 

                                   JANE
                         You did?

               The intimacy is palpable.

                                   COLLEAGUE
                         I... Ah... I'll just be... 

               Dan moves in to face her.

                                   DAN
                         Hi.

                                   JANE
                         Hi.

               He takes her files and her purse from her and lays them down
               on a chair. The quiet, knowing intimacy is intense.

                                   JANE (CONT'D)
                         Dan, you have to go to Chicago.

                                   DAN
                         I know.

               He moves in very close and starts to kiss her down her neck.

                                   DAN (CONT'D)
                         There are twenty flights a day. I
                         should know. I just took one there
                         and back.

                                   JANE
                         I can't travel so lightly. Can you
                         see that?

                                   DAN
                         Never had more clarity in my life. 

               He kisses her passionately.
			THE END